Wrigleyville rooftop owners not backing down to Cubs

FILE - In this April 4, 2012 file photo, people walk by the Marquee at Wrigley Field,
one day before the Chicago Cubs' home opener against the Washington Nationals in
Chicago.

The Wrigleyville Rooftop Association is not backing down against the Cubs and chairman Tom Ricketts, especially without its concerns being voiced.

The Wrigleyville Rooftop Association issued a statement on the "inaccurate statements by Ricketts family" which has frustrated the rooftop owners ahead of the Cubs' self-imposed April 1 deadline to reach a deal regarding Wrigley Field renovations.

The rooftop owners have five issues they wanted to clarify. They assert the Ricketts do not need to renegotiate the 2004 landmark city ordiance with Chicago because "nothing has prevented the Cubs from making these improvements [to the clubhouses, public restrooms and various guest amenities] except to use the renovation debate as an excuse to drive away the rooftops."

They also contend the Ricketts were well aware of the 20-year contract that had been signed in 2004 with the rooftop owners when they bought the Cubs, and the family's attempt to purchase five rooftops in 2011 with the idea of placing signage on the properties is "nearly identical to the compromise solution being offered to them today."

The rooftop owners also pointed to the potentially lucractive television deals awaiting the Cubs in the coming years to denounce the Ricketts request for public funding. They also claim that it's "unfair to any business let alone your neighbors of 30 years" to try and unilaterally change a contract without one party's consent.

"Our win-win advertising plan would dedicate 100 percent of all revenues from signs on rooftops to the Cubs to renovate Wrigley Field and help improve community needs," Beth Murphy, the owner of Murphy's Bleachers, said in the release. "Signs on rooftops were proposed by the Ricketts family two years ago when they tried to buy a rooftop, so we're confused why it isn't good enough for them now. The Ricketts family should honor the contract we signed in 2004 that was negotiated by current Cubs' top executives. There is no reason to block our views."

Clearly the battle between the Cubs and rooftop owners is not over and if neither side backs down, Mayor Rahm Emanuel will be forced to step in and take action.

-- Meghan Montemurro

Comments

More News

Comments

About the Author

Follow this blog:

Get updates from this blog when they happen by following it on Twitter or using its RSS feed.